Reaganism, New Jersey Style
If you think that Snooki getting socked in the kisser during an episode of “Jersey Shore” epitomizes life in the Garden State, you haven’t been paying attention. The best reality show on television today isn’t running on MTV. It’s in Trenton, where Gov. Chris Christie is offering the voters a dose of Reagan Republicanism—with a Jersey twist. (McGurn, Wall Street Journal)
N.J. Gov. Christie urges voters to reject budgets where teachers have not agreed to wage freeze
Governor Christie Monday urged voters to reject school budget proposals in districts where teachers have not agreed to a wage freeze — the majority of districts statewide. The Republican governor’s state budget would cut aid to schools by $820 million, leading districts to propose staff layoffs and cuts in educational and extracurricular programs. Christie has urged local school boards and teachers’ unions to offset some of those cuts by implementing wage freezes and contributions to employee health benefits. (Heininger, The Record)
Gooch files to run in the 6th District
The team of newspaper publisher Diane Gooch of Rumson filed nearly 400 petitions this afternoon, according to Gooch campaign manager Tony Sayegh. Union County Republican Chairman Phil Morin also announced that he would be awarding the party line to Gooch now that the Rev. Shannon Wright of Plainfield has ended her campaign and announced her support for Gooch. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/max/38325/gooch-files-run-6th-district
Cahill to receive primary challenge from Bombelyn
New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill, who has served since 1991, will receive a Democratic Primary challenge this June in the person of attorney Patricia Bombelyn. The Bombelyn backers combine some of the same grassroots Democratic Party forces who in 2008 stunningly elected Mayor Wilda Diaz in Perth Amboy over longtime incumbent Joe Vas. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/max/38320/cahill-receive-primary-challenge-bombelyn
Pallone files to run for reelection
No sign up here of Diane Gooch – or Anna Little – yet. Actually – not true. They’ve been here. Filed. Press release on the way, according to Gooch campaign manager Tony Sayegh. An 11th hour Democrat just filed, too – Mark Falzone of Middletown Township. And a third Republican – Fabrizio Bivona – is scrambling here up against the 4 p.m. deadline. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/max/38321/pallone-files-run-re-election
N.J. Senate budget hearing as rough as House’s
The Senate’s first budget hearing with Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff picked up Thursday in the same combative style as Wednesday’s Assembly session. Senate Democrats once again accused Gov. Christie of giving the wealthy a tax break while taking away property-tax rebates for all residents, including nearly $1,300 average checks for senior citizens. Republicans said Democrats had run the state’s budget into the ground, forcing the budget cuts Christie has proposed. (Tamari, Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20100412_N_J__Senate_budget_hearing_as_rough_as_House_s.html
Candidates file for N.J. congressional seats
Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen and Democratic Rep. Albio Sires of West New York both face challengers from within their own party in the June 8 primary, campaign filings released Monday show. There are also several battles to determine the challengers to three incumbents representing the core of Bergen and Passaic counties, Republican Scott Garrett Democrats Bill Pascrell Jr. and Steve Rothman of Fair Lawn. (Jackson, The Record)
NJ Transit scales back fare hikes
Following a series of public hearings, New Jersey Transit is considering increasing bus and light rail fares an average 10 percent instead of the 25 percent hike it initially planned. Also, three Monmouth County bus routes scheduled to be axed by NJ Transit could be spared, including two Route 9 commuter buses and a local route serving Brookdale Community College and county offices in Freehold. (Higgs, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/article/20100412/NEWS03/4120329/1007/NEWS03/NJ-Transit-scales-back-fare-hikes
Stile: GOP accord or conflict in Franklin Lakes?
Republican insiders are watching Monday’s primary deadline to see if Franklin Lakes will be roiled by a replay of last year’s bitter primary or whether a fragile peace accord will hold. At issue was an initially successful attempt by Bergen County Republican Organization Chairman Bob Yudin to solidify support for Franklin Lakes Mayor Maura DeNicola’s bid for freeholder. (Stile, The Record)
Ingle: Voters can send school districts a direct message April 20
In 11 of New Jersey’s 604 school districts, teacher unions voted to accept a temporary pay freeze to lessen the impact of budget cuts and save the jobs of fellow teachers, while in 101 of the districts administrators made that decision. Voters have their say April 20, when they can turn down school budgets containing property tax hikes. My mail indicates an unusually high interest in the budget voting, something that usually gets scant notice. (Ingle, Gannett)
